While these construction and renovation projects were originally pegged to cost Rs 1,000 crore, the final bill stood at Rs 2,400 crore. The Central Public Works Department was responsible for all the projects.

The RTI queries were filed by Delhi- based activist Subhash Agrawal. According to the RTI replies received on April 5, the J. L. Nehru Stadium was estimated to cost Rs 455 crore. But the final cost shot up to Rs 961 crore. Renovation and construction of the complex's three blocks were delayed by 15 days to three months ( See box for details of all the projects).

Agrawal blamed the cost escalation on a nexus between contractors and officials. Contractors delay projects by bribing concerned government departments to delay supplies or shifting of system- lines such as sewage, water or electricity.

"Vested interests even approach courts to make the delays look authentic. Instead of being penalised, the contractors then claim damages. They ensure officers of their choice arbitrate on their exaggerated claims," he added.

An official said while a part of the additional cost was caused by steep inflation, mismanagement by concerned agencies was also to blame.

According to CPWD, all venues will be ready before the test event. It has decided to increase labour and supervising staff, extend working hours, deploy additional machineries and procure critical items to meet the deadline.

BJP CALLS FOR CBI PROBE

The Delhi unit of the BJP smelt a rat in the government's decision to award the contract for providing TETRA communication during the Games to Motorola. It demanded a CBI enquiry into the deal.

But the Sheila Dikshit government refuted the party's claim.

"The TETRA system is foolproof.

These allegations are baseless," said information technology secretary Savitur Prasad.

"This project is on a public private partnership basis. The government will not buy anything but only rent out services," he added.

Former Delhi BJP chief Harsh Vardhan said the government awarded the tender for TETRA handsets worth Rs 99 crore to a company which does not fulfil required conditions. Also, the contract was awarded disregarding rules set by defence, telecommunication and home departments, affecting security, he added.

But Prasad said: "The defence ministry's approval is not needed for installing such a system in the city. "According to replies to RTI queries, the Delhi government bypassed recommendations of various agencies while granting the tender. Tender conditions were also relaxed.

"I demand a CBI inquiry into the purchase of these security systems," Vardhan said.

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